No antibiotics? Just cowden protocol?

Earlier this month, the LLMD suspected MSIDS based on my symptoms. I myself needed convincing, and now I feel more sure about that diagnosis. My cd 57 was 26 and several other blood test levels lend more support.

The doctor wants me to do the cowden protocol and not antibiotics. I have not had any antibiotics during this 12 month illness.

I've tried hard to get into another LLMD office in DC but they apparently are so busy they won't return my phone calls. I have an appt with an infectious disease doctor in June.

I've ordered cowden and will begin when it arrives, but I have to admit when I saw all the blood work "proof" of MSIDS I had hoped for antibiotics.

I thought at least a short course of antibiotics would be ordered, at least as a trial. Do people really recover just with cowden??

Thank you, Revive, for responding. I really appreciate all the Lyme info this forum has provided. I've continued to spend countless hours here and elsewhere learning about TB illnesses or Lyme-MSIDS. I've been treating Horawitz's book as my guidebook. I've posted several times before to this forum over the past couple of weeks. I should have provided more complete background info in this last post!

Since February, I've been detoxing, cleansing, on a restricted anti-inflammation diet, and on numerous supplements under the care of my functional medicine doctor/chiropractric neurologist. I have been vigilant in avoiding certain foods based on that doctor's muscle testing including gluten, cane sugar, soy, corn, oats, eggs, bananas, dairy. (Alcohol has been out of the picture since I became ill May 2, 2014...."Happy" anniversary to me tomorrow!)

Unfortunately, I have NOT seen any improvement since I made all these changes, which makes me question whether an herbal protocol without antibiotics is the right course for me. In fact, I'm sicker than I was in January.

Time will tell, I guess. Still, I realize the longer I'm sick, the harder recovery is and the less likely FULL recovery is. I realize it's "only" been a year, so I'm a lucky to have a clear diagnosis emerging.

Thank you!!

Hi Lisa,

I know it's kind of a different situation, but due to long time gut issues that are barely getting under control at the time of diagnosis, my ND only gives me one IM shot of Rocephin every 10 days. I was a bit hesitant at first, but I am getting better, my gut has not been affected and actually, I personally don't think I could deal with more extreme herxes than what I do because I am still working full time. I do take a ton of supplements and natural antibiotics and antifungals as well, of course. I didn't think the low levels of antibiotics she was giving me would do anything, but it seems that my immune system is learning to fight back now and things are getting much better. I also did the homeopathic vials of Bartonella treatment and that really helped but it was hell getting through them because they really aggrivated my symptoms.

I hope that helps!

Hi lisa i can not handle antibiotics but i have been on ceftin since october my dr tried to switch but i cannot handle antibiotics so i am looking for a natural protocol also just researching different ones.

Many thanks to Deejavu, catchscooter, Traveler, jenny setter and Sarah! Thank you for boosting my faith in herbal protocols as well as my body's natural healing power.

Bring on the Cowden....It's recovery time!

Yourwelcome